Poll body has no legal power over parties and candidates skipping manifestos
Summary
With four days before full-fledged election campaigns commence, the Election Commission mandates political parties and independent candidates to publish their manifestos, though has no legal power to enforce this directive.
Key Points
- The Election Commission has directed all political parties and independent candidates to publish their poll manifestos before campaigning begins.
- The election code of conduct requires parties and candidates to submit their policy blueprints to their respective election offices.
- There is no specific law compelling parties or candidates to publish manifestos, and the commission lacks the legal power to penalize non-compliance.
- Observers note the commission's reluctance to take punitive actions against violations, rendering the code of conduct largely self-regulatory.
